Colorado Ski Resorts: Best Places To Ski In Colorado

Colorado is known for many things including world class skiing. Most of the best Colorado ski resorts are located a short distance west of Denver. Some of the best are Copper Mountain, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek Resort, Aspen, Vail, Winter Park, Steamboat, A-Basen and Keystone Resort, just to name a few.

Colorado Ski Resorts
Colorado Ski Resorts

Vail has 5,432 acres of skiable terrain, 2,666 skiable acres of downhill and 2,100 acres of cross country. Vail is the go-to resort for extreme skiers and extreme enthusiasts. Beaver Creek has some of the most luxurious resort accommodations in the country, including the Beaver Creek Lodge, ranked the 4th most luxurious hotel in North America by Conde Nast Traveler. Aspen is a beautiful town in the mountains and just like anywhere else in Colorado it is well worth visiting.

Breckenridge

Breckenridge is one of Colorado’s best ski resorts. Not only is it the second largest ski resort in the United States but it is also the place to learn to ski and take lessons. In Breckenridge you can find endless options to relax or find a group of your own to ski with. It is the perfect place to learn skiing and maintain those skills as you learn to master the slopes. It is also the best place to ski at, Breckenridge Ski Resort has 168 trails that range from easy to expert in difficulty. A snowboard experience is available on 300 acres of terrain. Breckenridge is a world class ski resort with one of the longest runs in the country, Heavenly, which has 35 gladed trails. The resort is located 30 minutes from Denver International Airport.

Copper Mountain

Copper Mountain offers a variety of terrain. The Resort is highly recommended for first timers and families. All four mountains make up Copper Mountain, Beaver Creek, Monarch and Red Mountain. This means you can always find the right terrain for you. Black Mountain, Breckenridge, Steamboat and Winter Park These are also Colorado’s biggest ski resorts with tons of terrain. Vail Ski Resort Vail is widely recognized as one of the best ski resorts in the world. It has the largest footprint in North America. Cooper Mountain, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone, Steamboat Copper Mountain and Monarch Fossil Creek, Beaver Creek, Winter Park Aspen Snowmass Open For the Season!

Vail

With some of the best mountain restaurants, shopping, skiing, mountain biking and a gondola that goes straight to the top of the mountain, Vail is the most expensive ski resort in Colorado. Ski Vail has 5,432 acres of skiable terrain, 2,666 skiable acres of downhill, 2,100 acres of cross country, four ski lifts, and a 90-minute gondola ride up to the top of the mountain. Vail is the go-to resort for extreme skiers and extreme enthusiasts. It’s located in Colorado’s Eagle County just 25 minutes from downtown Denver. Breckenridge Breckenridge is located in the mountains about 40 miles from Denver and features some of the best backcountry skiing in the country. This mountain town is also a popular stop for sight-seers and adventure seekers.

Beaver Creek

Famous for Winter Park and Aspen, Beaver Creek has maintained its position as a premier skiing and snowboarding destination since it first opened its doors to skiers in the early 1950s. Just outside of Vail, Beaver Creek offers several terrain parks and large beginner and intermediate runs. In addition to this incredible snow surface, Beaver Creek has some of the most luxurious resort accommodations in the country, including the Beaver Creek Lodge, ranked the 4th most luxurious hotel in North America by Conde Nast Traveler. The Lodge, Beaver Creek’s premiere restaurant, offers award-winning cuisine in a picturesque alpine setting.

Aspen

Aspen is a beautiful town in the mountains and just like anywhere else in Colorado it is well worth visiting. The town has a charming downtown area with shops, restaurants, bars and a movie theatre. You can hit the slopes on the top of Vail Mountain or head over to Copper Mountain and get your “Colorado Snowcation” started. There are three ski resorts all within 2-3 hours from Denver. If you prefer more of a kid-friendly mountain environment Beaver Creek and Winter Park are both great options. Of course, Aspen is not without its off-season fun and that would be hiking in the parks on the west side of the mountains or if you are really daring, rafting down the river Aspen.

A-Basen

They say an afternoon of heli-skiing can take you far, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. An afternoon on Aspen Mountain heli-skiing is no different. I recently returned from A-Basen and experienced one of the best heli-skiing adventures I have ever had. From the moment you step into your beautiful deluxe Sikorsky Flyer helicopter, you’ll be greeted with open arms by a great crew of highly experienced, professionally trained and certified guides. You will be welcomed with their “this is a one time experience” attitude. “Oh you want to go heli-skiing? Let’s go for it!” Well, I didn’t think twice and was hooked. You’ll have your own captain who will tell you about your new equipment and your driver will be sitting in the right seat of the helicopter.

Steamboat

Steamboat, one of the largest ski resorts in the world, was once named the best ski resort in North America. The terrain is dramatic, ranging from the dazzling Ice Park at the top of the mountain to the relatively more tame back bowls. The skiing is outstanding. Steamboat’s Winter Park Resort, located about 20 miles west of Steamboat Springs, offers day skiing in between two and four weeks. Breckenridge Breckenridge is probably the best known Colorado ski resort, second only to Vail. It is the largest ski resort in the state and contains both downhill and cross country skiing, as well as miles of runs for cross-country skiers. The terrain is varied, ranging from mogul runs to grassy areas for skiers of all ages.

Keystone

Nestled in the Colorado mountains, Keystone is the largest ski resort in the state. The town has numerous restaurants, bars, hotels, and clubs for resort guests. Located in Colorado’s famous national forest, Keystone is known for beautiful ski and snowboard terrain, amenities and easy access to the towns of Breckenridge and Frisco. Keystone has more than 2,000 acres of terrain and a 48-hour lift ticket will cost you around $168. Make sure you wear your helmet to be safe as snow sports are not cheap. Snow avalanches are always a risk so make sure you have avalanche gear at the ready. Breckenridge Breckenridge is known for big mountain skiing and amazing powder. The town is a 30-minute drive from Denver. Breckenridge is known for its natural snow and beautiful scenery.

Winter Park

Winter Park is one of the only ski resorts in the state where skiing is available in the same day. Opening early in the morning, the resort offers a daily double black diamond tour in addition to numerous beginner and intermediate runs. Loveland Ski Area Loveland opened in 1955 and the property has been expanded several times since its inception. A full day of skiing, one of the few to offer night skiing, is just the start of what this popular resort has to offer. It is also popular for its steep slopes and challenging terrain and is a great addition to the list of ski resorts on this list. Copper Mountain Located just outside of Denver in the foothills, Copper Mountain offers some of the most challenging slopes in the state, while also offering some of the most natural powder.

Conclusion

So which Colorado ski resorts is best for you? Well, there is no right answer, just what is right for you. Every resort has something to offer and the best thing to do is to find a ski resort near you.

Ski Resorts Colorado